Heart and Circulatory System Flashcards
Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
Description: ischemia (lack of blood) to area of heart causes tissue death
Treatment: bypass graft around blockage or angioplasty with stent to keep coronary arteries open
Coronary Artery Disease
Description: multiple areas with start of vessel disease (narrowing and stricture)
Treatment: stop smoking; increase exercise; low-fat, high-fiber diet
Angina
Description: ischemia during stress or exercise, unstable angina during rest
Treatment: nitroglycerin, stop activity, stop smoking
Arrhythmia
Description: irregular heartbeat
Treatment: medication, surgery, pacemaker, cardioversion
Hypercholesterolemia
Description: total cholesterol greater than 200 mg
Treatment: diet and medication
Hypertension
Description: blood pressure elevated greater than 140/90
Treatment: DASH diet, exercise, diet, medication, weight loss, stress reduction
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Description: narrowing or occlusion of vessels in legs and feet
Treatment: bypass graft or medication
Thrombus
Description: blood clot
Treatment: prevent clot from moving until dissolved
Thrombophlebitis
Description: blood clot and inflammation of veins
Treatment: heparin, antibiotics, blood thinners, exercise, avoid immobility or constriction of veins
Arteriosclerosis
Description: calcium and fibrous deposits inside vessels
Treatment: aspirin or blood thinners; surgery
Atherosclerosis
Description: fatty deposits inside vessels
Treatment: change to low-fat, high-fiber diet and increase exercise
Murmurs
Description: valvular disorder
Treatment: valve replacement in serious cases
Congestive Heart Failure
Description: weak ventricle (either side); allows blood to back up; left side = SOB, frothy sputum, coughing; right side = edema and cyanosis
Treatment: medication (Lasix and Lanoxin)
Aneurysm
Description: bulging weak spot in vessel
Treatment: graft inserted into area and sutured above and below weak point
Thrombocytopenia
Description: decreased number of platelets
Symptoms: bruising, easy bleeding
Leukemia
Description: unrestrained growth in white blood cells
Symptoms: pale, weak, low-grade fever, malaise, weight loss
Anemia
Description: not enough red blood cells
Symptoms: shortness of breath, fatigue, weakness, pale
Iron Deficiency Anemia
Description: not enough heme for oxygen to bind to on red blood cells
Symptoms: shortness if breath, fatigue, weakness, pale
Pernicious Anemia
Description: lack of intrinsic factor in gastric juice
Symptoms: mental changes, weak, stiff extremities
Sickle-cell Anemia
Description: abnormal hemoglobin; red blood cell changes into sickle shape and gets tangles up, causing blockage and pain
Symptoms: pain and swelling in joints of African American children
Polycythemia Vera
Description: red blood cell count is elevated because of living in high altitude or genetics
Symptoms: phlebotomy is done at regular intervals
